
soldiers was then stationed around the sepulcher to prevent it from being
tampered with. The priests did all they could to keep Christ's body where it
had been laid. He was sealed as securely in His tomb as if He were to remain
there through all time."—Id.,
p.
778.
They Rested on the Sabbath
12.
What did the women who came with Jesus do after witnessing
the burial of their Lord? Luke 23:55, 56.
13.
What had they purposed to do to the body of Jesus? When did
they attempt to carry their purpose into effect? Mark 16:1, 2: Luke 24:1.
NOTE—If possible, read of the observance of that Sabbath day as described
in "The Desire of Ages," page 774.
He is Risen!
14.
What had taken place before the women reached the tomb?
What was the appearance of this angel? Matt. 28:2, 3.
NoTE.—In Jesus' statement concerning His life, "I have power to lay it
down, and I have power to take it again," He coupled the words, "This corn-
mandment have I received of My Father." When Jesus yielded His life on the
cross. He said, "Father, into Thy hands
I
commend My spirit." Of that hour
when He received back the life He had thus committed unto the Father,
we read:
"The earth trembles and heaves as that powerful being from another world
approaches. He is coming on a joyful errand, and the speed and power of his
flight shake the world like a mighty earthquake. Soldiers, officers, and
sentinels, fall as dead men to the earth. . . . One of the commanding angels
who had, with his heavenly company, been keeping watch over the tomb of
his Master, joined the powerful angel who had just come from heaven. To-
gether they advanced to the sepulcher. The angelic commander laid hold of
the great stone at the mouth of the tomb, rolled it away, and sat upon it. His
companion entered the sepulcher and removed the wrappings from the face
and head of Jesus. Then, with a voice that caused the earth to tremble, he
called forth:—
"'Jesus, Thou Son of God, Thy Father calls Thee!'
"Then He who had earned the power over death came forth from the tomb
with the tread of a conqueror. As He arose from the dead, the earth reeled, the
lightning flashed, and the thunder rolled. An earthquake marked the hour
when Christ laid down His life. Another earthquake witnessed the moment
when He took it up again in triumph."—"Christ
Our Saviour,"
pp.
140, 141.
15.
How had the presence of the angel affected the guardians of the
tomb? What thrilling experience was theirs? Verse 4.
NoTE.—"Now, priests and rulers, where is the power of your guard?—
Brave soldiers that have never been afraid of human power, are now as captives
taken without sword or spear. The face they look upon is not the face of
mortal warrior; it is the face of the mightiest of the Lord's host. This mes-
senger is he who fills the position from which Satan fell. It is he who on the
hills of Bethlehem proclaimed Christ's birth. The earth trembles at his
approach, the hosts of darkness flee, and as he rolls away the stone, heaven
seems to come down to the earth. The soldiers see him removing the stone
as he would a pebble, and hear him cry, Son of God, come forth; Thy Father
calls Thee. They see Jesus come forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim
[301